Bring Me Back to Earth

I am building my ultimate hunting truck (22 OR) and doing a ton of mods. Suspension and lift are in my plans. This is a daily driver to some degree (I don't commute) but also for hunting and playing. The ranch that I hunt on has some tight/tough roads and trails and lots of washboard roads. As I build my truck I suspect that I will be sucked into overlanding more and more and will find more and more remote spots to hunt that my truck can bring me.

Added Weight:

Front - I will have a Group 67 AGM (X2), Southern Style Off Road Slimline bumper and Winch

Rear - Alu-Cab Contour Canopy, Refrigerator Tray, Refrig and Another Group 67 (or similar Li Batt that is lighter), inverter, hunting gear. Eventually I will get a RTT and occasionally put that on also. Alum skids all around (yeah I know, but I am trying to be really weight conscience)

Originally I was going to have the work done for me but after researching all of this I have come to the conclusion that I can easily do it which leaves me with more budget (~3k). Now I am stuck in analysis paralysis and I am vacillating between....

1. Original plan - Bilstein 5100's all around.

As I did more research I decided on:

2. Bilstein 6112's in front and 5160's in rear with a Icon RTX leaf pack on Stage 2 or 3 and the u-bolt flip kit + bump stops.

Now that I seemingly have more budget and thinking I can spend around 3k on this I am thinking of...

3. Fox 2.5's from AccuTune, tuned for the weight of my truck. Honestly I have heard mostly terrible reviews about the Fox 2.5's (rough) except for the people that have had them tuned specifically for their truck through AccuTune.

I've also been looking at the Icon kits based on the feedback from Donut series comparing shocks. Maybe a stage 2 or 3 with AN RTX leaf pack.

I believe option 2 should be more than enough but I am afraid I am going to regret not going bigger/better if I don't because most say that 6112's are basically just like stock.

I know this has been debated to hell and I have read everything I can. Someone talk some sense into me, I need to place an order some time this year and make a decision. Right now I am leaning toward the Fox's but IDK.

 

I'll throw another one at you, ADS. If I was going to buy new that's what I would do.

 

Not bad choices there. Somewhere these is a video series here with a comparison of the higher end kits. With Fox, King and Icon you’re also looking at recommended rebuilds around 50k miles.

While they can be stiff, check out Ironman foam cells. Sounds in your budget and will include bigger leaf packs. They have been gaining steam with the Tacomas the past few years.

 

I think I am just going to have to get one shock for each corner and see which rides the best

 

Interested in reading the feedback on this as well. I too have researched everything on this forum and looking at exactly your options in 2 or 3. The only thing I am worried about is the rusting due to salt on the pnw and if the extra $$ on the accutune is worth it. Understandable that the fox are rebuildable but for the price difference maybe best just to get another set of bilstein when the time comes. Also, not to mention the down time that is needed to rebuild while off the truck Vs a swap.

 

I took a look at my budget and I think I brought myself back down to earth and I am back on 6112/5160 train (for now). Still need rock rails, lights, front bumper & winch and to kit out the back with refrig, batts, etc. I guess I can always upgrade the suspension further later on if I find that I am exceeding it's abilities. I just like the idea of doing it once and doing it right but with this many choices I am not sure what is best. Either way, I can't go wrong with the Bilstein choice as there are many people here who use and love them and with the RTX leaf pack in place it will not be too hard to just change out the suspension components later on if needed.

Now i have find a good deal on the Bilstein's.

 

Even custom tuned the Fox's ride rough off road. Maybe if you're going fast enough they soften up, but I never could bring myself to beat my truck up that much to find out.

Mine ride good around town, and they ride good off road as long as you're not hitting anything super rough. They feel great on the beach where the bumps are more of a roller shape than a sharp pothole or rock. Once you get into rough gravel roads, washboard roads, big potholes on the street, speed bumps, bumpy rocky areas like Moab Utah, they will leave you wanting more.

I would recommend to reaching out to Ian at WheelEveryWeekend and get his thoughts. He can custom valve the Bilstein stuff to your truck, or valve any other brand as well. He will steer you in the right direction, and won't oversell you anything. And unlike other shock tuners, you know exactly what you're getting rather than some magical "oh it's valved to your trucks weight".

 

I use my truck as a daily driver and hunting rig, I like my accutune 2.5s and wouldn't change unless something significantly better came out like a bypass set up, which bilstien has but you loose travel. The biggest gains to a smooth ride for me are actually free, I air down to @ 15 psi & I don't run a sway bar. I haven't run the 6112/5160 set up but I've never read anything bad about them so I'd imagine it's a good set up.

 

As someone who owns both Bilstein 6112/5160 and Fox 2.5 PES with tuned shims, I say go with Dobinsons MRR all around and a full leaf pack. Call up Exit Off-road and Mike with get you set up.

 

I don’t see a reference how much lift you want in the rear. Consider extending the rear brake lines. Also with the added weight consider upgrading all (F & R) the bump stops.

 

Can you perhaps explain a bit more from your experience why? Are you on dobinsons now? Thanks for your input

 

Not sure why you need a lift for your described use case, since a suspension lift doesn't raise the low point of the axle lines.

Maybe some more spring to retain a stock ride height, and dampers to control the new springs..........

It's good you are being weight conscious, but have you looked at the capacity sticker on your truck? That includes everything. Even passengers. And that capacity isn't based on suspension alone, but the frame and driveline as well. Yes, lots of people over build and will tell you life is fine. You'll have to make choices, but it's something to be aware of.

 

I’m not on them now but lots of guys in my local wheeling group are. Consider me a believer. They give great value and performance that most people are looking for at a much nicer price than King/Fox/Icon. If I could go back in time that’s what I’d run (though I’m not too sad about the Foxes other than cost).

 

I would definitely reach out to Ian at wheel every weekend. Also hold off until you see his mid level/budget shock blind comparisons coming out this month

 

I would need the lift for the larger tires that I am planning on getting w/SCS Ray 10's. I haven't decided on the exact tire yet but KO2's and Falken Wildpeaks are in the running right now.

In terms of weight, I totally understand the meaning of GVWR and know that I am very limited with the Tacoma and that even with being weight conscience I will probably exceed the GVWR at some point when all my buddies jump in the truck to go gut an elk someone got. It is inevitable. I don't know how any overlander stays within the GVWR of the Tacoma and I am not even overlanding nor do I have half that equipment (yet). It is what it is and I can only manage it as best I can and compensate where I can.

 

This is not the first time that I've hear Dobinsons and for the same exact reasons you quoted. I guess I need to check them out.

 

My suggestion would be the Dobinsons IMS. I really don't think most guys running reservoir shocks need them, (I know, WTH does need have to do with anything?) but they sure do make the panties drop! You can get the assembled IMS (shocks/springs/tophats/labor) for the cost of just the reservoir shocks. A bit more budget friendly.

Fox, when they're right, are amazing shocks, almost worth the cost. I've read too many reports of guys not happy with the ride for what they spent.

 

Any idea when this will be out?

 

I was told sometime this month and I wouldn’t be surprised if it was this week. I would definitely hold off on the dobinsons (no offense to anybody who runs them or has recommended them) and full transparency I’ve never ran them nor have any experience with them myself. The overall winner may be a shocker? Idk tbh. Bang for buck though I believe 6112s would be a top option although you can spend more and get a good bit better.